Letter: Call the obelisk what it is - history

We’ve lived in Asheville for the past six years, and I have never thought of the Vance obelisk in terms of slavery or the civil war. For me the the monument has always been a beacon to direct friends and visitors to all the exciting attractions, restaurants and chocolate purveyors, etc. Asheville has to offer!

So why not turn the Vance Monument into an architectural museum piece, rather then keeping the Civil War focus with all of its emotional baggage it now has? Perhaps it could become a part of The Asheville Art Museum, which is presently going through an extensive renovation. It can stay right where it is.